Loiseau Worried for Missing Haiti Relatives

He said he won’t close his eyes until he makes contact with his
uncle and 70-year-old grandparents, who are unaccounted for
following a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti
on Tuesday afternoon.

Loiseau’s uncle lives in Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital and
one of the hardest hit areas of the poor Caribbean nation.
Loiseau’s elderly grandparents live about two hours outside of
Port-au-Prince. None of them have been reachable since Tuesday.

“It’s a nightmare,” Loiseau told Sherdog.com late Wednesday night.
“I haven’t been able to speak to them, so I don’t know if any of
them are safe. When I call, their phones don’t even ring.”

Louiseau, whose parents are Haitian, moved to Montreal as a young
boy. The one-time UFC middleweight contender spent periods of his
childhood in the impoverished country with relatives and has
visited Port-au-Prince many times.

Reports and images from Port-au-Prince look bleak, as survivors
race against time to rescue those still trapped under collapsed
buildings and homes. Hospitals, office structures and the
president’s palace have also been leveled, while there is no
electricity or running water. Without heavy machinery accessible,
many are digging through the rubble with their bare hands. Early
estimates indicate the death toll could surpass 100,000
victims.

“I’m thinking of going down to help out, but they’re doesn’t seem
to be any flights down there right now,” said the 30-year-old
Loiseau. “They’re prioritizing help, like doctors and workers,
first.”

Louiseau said some friends have been able to communicate with
family using Internet social networks like Facebook and Twitter.
However, Louiseau’s relatives don’t have access to a computer, he
said.

“I’m reading these messages coming out of there,” he said. “People
are sleeping outside in the streets. They don’t want to chance
their houses falling on them in their sleep.”

Loiseau, who’s training for a Feb. 27 bout for Mixed Fight League
in Montreal, said he’s praying and remaining positive as he awaits
any word on his missing relatives’ health and whereabouts.

“I don’t want to sleep. I want to get the message out,” he said. “I
beg you to donate as much as you can. It’s a real catastrophe
what’s going on in Haiti and any penny will help. Every time a
plane flies in with supplies and assistance, it costs money. That’s
what the money is for. Just give. Haiti is a very poor country and
they need our help.”